Table 2.

Clinical practice guideline recommendations assessed for applicable patients.

Recommendation				Strength of recommendation
Obtain serum ESR and CRP testing for all patients assessed for periprosthetic joint infection				Strong
Aspirate joint of patients being assessed for periprosthetic knee infection who have abnormally elevated ESR and/or CRP. Send aspirated fluid for microbiologic culture, synovial fluid white blood cell count, and differential				Strong
Selective approach to aspiration of the hip based on patient’s probability of periprosthetic joint infection and the results of ESR and CRP testing:				Strong
Probability of Infection Higher Lower Lower Lower	ESR/CRP Elevation Both or one Both or one Both One	Planned Reoperation Status Planned or not planned Planned Not planned Not planned	Recommended Test Aspiration Aspiration or frozen section Aspiration Re-evaluation within 3 monthsa
Send aspirated fluid for microbiologic culture, synovial fluid white blood cell count, and differential

^aStrength of recommendation for this component (re-evaluation within 3 months) is “consensus”.